What benefits are available to a person with epilepsy?
- The ability to lower or decrease the number of seizure medications a person has to take. ...
- A higher likelihood of returning to working and to driving.
- People are less likely to experience symptoms related to anxiety and depression following a positive surgical result.
What is life like for someone with epilepsy?
People with epilepsy often experience changes in their quality of life such as less mobility, as well as the impact on learning, school attendance, employment, relationships, and social interactions. In order to live a happy and full life it’s important to learn how epilepsy can affect you, what your rights and responsibilities are and how to find support and resources.
Which treatment is best for epilepsy?
What is the best natural treatment for epilepsy?
- Vitamins. Certain vitamins have been effective in reducing incidents of epilepsy, though taking vitamins alone is not a sufficient treatment plan.
- Herbs. Herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular, though they should be approached with caution. ...
- Dietary changes. ...
- Biofeedback. ...
- Acupuncture. ...
Can you get a job with epilepsy?
No matter the job, people with epilepsy must want to work and be able to perform their job. Most people with epilepsy are capable of having fulfilling jobs. I know for a fact from personal experience that a person with epilepsy can hold positions in upper management and earn in excess of $150,000 a year or more.
What benefits can someone with epilepsy get?
You may be entitled to benefits, depending on how your epilepsy affects you. This might include Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit and Attendance Allowance. You will need to meet certain requirements in order to qualify for these benefits.
Is epilepsy considered a disability?
Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing. There are different listings for epilepsy in the Blue Book.
Is it hard to get disability for epilepsy?
As is the case with many disabling impairments, winning a claim for Social Security Benefits based on seizure disorder can be somewhat difficult. Social Security requires that you have frequent seizures that interfere with your activities and that are well documented.
What seizures qualify for disability?
The SSA Evaluation and Medical QualificationsAt least one seizure each month after having taken medication for three months.Your seizures occur during the day and either involve loss of consciousness or convulsions OR occur at night causing symptoms that impact your daytime activities.
Do you get PIP for epilepsy?
Some people with epilepsy can claim health-related benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, and Employment Support Allowance.
What jobs can I not do with epilepsy?
If you have seizures, you may not be able to do jobs that risk your safety or the safety of other people....These include:jobs that involve driving.working at heights, near open water or fire.working with unguarded machinery.
Does epilepsy get worse with age?
The incidence of any type of seizure increases substantially over the age of 60, commonly due to other neurological conditions such as dementia or stroke.
Does epilepsy affect memory?
The epilepsy may cause difficulties with being able to store memories. Research has shown that people with epilepsy are prone to forget things more quickly than others.
How many hours should a person with epilepsy sleep?
People with epilepsy should get adequate sleep - enough to feel refreshed the next day. In general, adults should try for at least 7-8 hours a night. Going to bed late (for example, 3 a.m. instead of 11 p.m.) can be compensated for by sleeping late (10 a.m. instead of 6 a.m.) and thereby avoiding sleep deprivation.
Does epilepsy qualify for disability tax credit?
People living with severe epilepsy not controlled by medications often find it challenging to obtain the disability tax credit (DTC) because the condition falls into a grey area. However, people with epilepsy and family members supporting people with the condition have avenues to take in order to receive the DTC.
Can epilepsy make you tired all the time?
Epilepsy patients frequently complain of fatigue. Fatigue is the mental and/or physical experience of extreme and persistent tiredness, weakness, or exhaustion [1]. The complaint of fatigue is more common in epilepsy patients than in the general population according to a population-based study [2].
Does epilepsy qualify for disability tax credit?
People living with severe epilepsy not controlled by medications often find it challenging to obtain the disability tax credit (DTC) because the condition falls into a grey area. However, people with epilepsy and family members supporting people with the condition have avenues to take in order to receive the DTC.
Is epilepsy a physical or mental disability?
Epilepsy is not a mental illness. In fact, the vast majority of people living with epilepsy have no cognitive or psychological problem. For the most part, psychological issues in epilepsy are limited to people with severe and uncontrolled epilepsy.
How does epilepsy affect your ability to work?
If your epilepsy is controlled, it will not significantly affect your ability to perform physical work. However, it's obvious that you cannot perform any kind of physical work while having an epileptic seizure.
Can you drive if you have epilepsy?
In the U.S., 700,000 licensed drivers have epilepsy. If you have it, taking the wheel means balancing the need for independence against the need for safety. All states allow people with epilepsy to drive.
Can someone with epilepsy claim PIP?
Whether someone with epilepsy can claim benefits will depend on their situation. Some benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are for people with a long-term disability or health condition, who need help or support with daily living, or with mobility, or both.
Can you apply for benefits if you have epilepsy?
Benefits and epilepsy. If you have epilepsy you may be eligible to apply for benefits. This depends on what your epilepsy is like and how it affects you. breadcrumb navigation:
Is epilepsy a special case?
Download our factsheet for some of the reasons why epilepsy is a 'special case' when it comes to benefits assessments and eligibility.
How long do you have to take medication for epilepsy?
Note that, because it can take several months of taking medication to control seizures, especially if the medication needs to be adjusted, you must have taken your prescribed medication for at least three months before applying for disability benefits. In addition, if your doctor has told you to abstain from alcohol, and you haven't, you won't be considered to have followed prescribed treatment for three months. (Alcohol use can increase the risk of seizures and weaken the effect of anticonvulsant drugs.)
How often can you get disability for a tonic clonic seizure?
If you have generalized tonic-clonic seizures, you will be approved for disability benefits if you have: seizures that occur at least once a month for three consecutive months; no marked limitation necessary.
What causes seizures and changes in behavior?
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures, episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that cause convulsions or changes in behavior. Epilepsy can be caused by cerebral palsy, brain injury, brain infections, stroke, or brain tumor, but much of the time the cause is unknown.
What are the symptoms of a seizure?
seizures that occur at least once every other week for three consecutive months, and a "marked" (severe) limitation in one of the following areas:#N#physical functioning, such as standing, balancing, or using your arms and hands#N#understanding, remembering, or using information in work activities#N#interacting with others#N#concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace, or#N#controlling emotions and behavior and maintaining well-being in a workplace setting, 1 physical functioning, such as standing, balancing, or using your arms and hands 2 understanding, remembering, or using information in work activities 3 interacting with others 4 concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace, or 5 controlling emotions and behavior and maintaining well-being in a workplace setting,
How many people have refractory epilepsy?
While most cases of epilepsy can be treated successfully with medication, about 35-40% of people have "medically refractory epilepsy," or "intractable epilepsy," meaning that medication does not prevent seizures. There are several types of epilepsy, which cause various types of seizures:
Can you get disability if you have epilepsy?
If your epilepsy doesn't meet these requirements, you still might be able to get disability benefits based on a "medical-vocational allowance," if you can show that your epilepsy interferes with your capacity to work so much that there are no jobs you can do, considering your prior job experience, your education, and your age.
Can you get disability if you have a low IQ?
If you have other physical or mental impairments that further limit your ability to work, such as cerebral palsy, low IQ, depression, anxiety, or ADHD or ADD, these may further limit the type of work you can do, making it more likely that you could get disability benefits because of reduced functional capacity .
What is my epilepsy team?
MyEpilepsyTeam is the social network for people with epilepsy and their loved ones. More than 91,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with epilepsy.
Do people with epilepsy need to apply for disability?
People with epilepsy face considerable paperwork when applying for disability benefits . The Social Security Administration offers a checklist of necessary application information. Below is a summary of what you’ll need to provide.
Can you get disability if you have epilepsy?
When people with epilepsy can no longer work, many in the United States seek Social Security disability benefits. Disability benefits help replace lost income when people with epilepsy have to leave their jobs.
Do I Qualify for Disability Benefits for Epilepsy?
The Blue Book lists impairments the SSA considers debilitating to such a degree that they prevent someone from working. It outlines the medical criteria for determining whether an applicant can receive disability benefits.
Can You Get Disability Benefits for Epilepsy if You Do Not Meet the Blue Book Criteria?
Not everyone with debilitating seizures will meet the criteria noted above even if their condition prevents them from working. If you do not meet the medical criteria noted in the Blue Book, you may still establish entitlement to benefits through the medical-vocational guidelines.
Evidence Required for Applying for Disability Benefits for Epilepsy
No matter what condition you are applying for, you will have to submit a complete record of medical documentation and evidence with your application to be approved for a disability claim. If you do not have complete records and evidence, your application may be denied.
How Long Does It Take To Get Approved for Benefits?
Before you commence with the application, you should ensure that you have all the documents SSA will need to make its determination. The SSA may reject your application for incomplete evidence. The Social Security office can take anywhere from three months to six months to decide your application. The disability process can be lengthy.
How many people have epilepsy?
According to the CDC more than 3 million adults have epilepsy. Epilepsy causes seizures that can make it difficult or impossible for someone to work full time. Seizures can sometimes be controlled with medication, but the cost of that medication can be very expensive.
What are the symptoms of a seizure?
Seizures that cause you to experience pronounced issues after each seizure, which may include things like unusual behaviors, trouble thinking, a lack of energy, difficulty staying awake, or other post-seizure symptoms that interrupt daytime activities.
How to apply for disability benefits?
The best way to apply for Social Security disability benefits is to make an appointment at your local SSA office. Bring copies of all of your medical records and other documentation with you to the appointment. A staff member will help you fill out the application and submit your claim.
Can you get medical vocational allowance if you have epilepsy?
If you have epilepsy that makes it impossible for you to work but doesn’t meet the strict criteria listed in the Blue book you may be able to qualify for benefits under a Medical Vocational Allowance. To qualify you will need to demonstrate that your seizures or the aftermath of your seizures are so severe that they make it impossible to work with the skills that you have. When you fill out a claim for benefits you can ask for a Residual Functional Capacity Evaluation. This evaluation is done by the SSA to see if there’s any kind of work that you can reasonably be expected to do. If the SSA determines that there is no type of work that you can do because of epilepsy you can be approved for benefits even though you don’t meet the Blue Book listing requirements.
Can you file for disability if you have epilepsy?
If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy and you can’t work and you expect to be unable to work for at least 12 months you can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability benefits can provide money that you need to pay for things like housing, bills, food, and other expenses.
Types of Epilepsy
Contrary to what you might believe, epilepsy is a fairly broad condition, and can come with different symptoms and triggers. For example, some people who suffer epilepsy will experience convulsions, while others may experience staring spells or reductions in their awareness.
When Can I Get Disability Benefits for Epilepsy?
Adults who suffer from some form of epilepsy may be eligible for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The disability benefits that you apply for will be based on whether or not you’ve ever worked and paid into the Social Security system.
Collecting Medical Evidence
One of the keys to winning your disability benefits for epilepsy will be to provide an ample amount of medical evidence and to have a residual functional capacity (RFC) that is low enough to prevent you from working.
Consult an Attorney
Because applying for disability benefits for epilepsy can be difficult, you may need help from an experienced attorney, which is why you need to work with the Law Offices of Dr. Bill LaTour.
Get Your FREE Case Evaluation
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How does Social Security evaluate disability claims based on epilepsy?
How exactly does Social Security evaluate a disability claim based on Epilepsy? Social Security employs a 5-step sequential evaluation process to determine if you qualify for disability benefits under the SSDI and/or SSI programs. At each phase of a disability claim, there is an adjudicator, or decision-maker.
Why do people have seizures?
The causes of most epileptic seizures are not known but most people develop epilepsy as a result of brain injury, stroke or drug and alcohol abuse. Epilepsy is controllable with medication in 70% of cases, however if you are unresponsive to medications, this condition and its symptoms can make day-to-day activities virtually impossible.
What is the medical term for seizures?
Epilepsy is a medical condition that causes recurring seizures. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder which means if affects the brain. Epileptic seizures are caused by problems with electrical and chemical activity in the brain. The causes of most epileptic seizures are not known but most people develop epilepsy as a result of brain injury, ...
What are the physical limitations of severe illness?
Severity can take many forms, including physical limitations, such as limited ability to walk, stand, lift, push, carry things, etc. Severity can also encompass the inability to speak, hear, see, concentrate, follow basic instructions, get along with co-workers, etc.
Can you be disabled if you are older?
Basically, the older, less educated and the fewer transferable skills you acquired in your past work, the more likely you are to be found Disabled. If the adjudicator determines you can perform some other type of work, based on your age, education, and prior work experience, you would be found Not Disabled and denied.
Does Social Security consider epilepsy disabling?
And it depends on many factors, most notably the severity of your symptoms, the effectiveness of treatment options, the strength of your medical evidence, your age, your education level and the type of work you have done.
How often do you have to have a convulsive seizure?
Individuals who experience convulsive seizures will be required to show evidence of seizures that occur at least once every two months for four months or longer while taking medication. Limitations in one of the following are also required: Adapting or managing oneself.
What causes a seizure in the brain?
Sometimes, it can result from a condition like a stroke or cerebral palsy, but other causes are unknown. Seizure symptoms can range from severe things like loss of consciousness and convulsions to less problematic symptoms like staring spells. In many cases, the seizures vary in frequency.
Can you get disability if you have epilepsy?
If you are an adult who has epilepsy, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits . The Social Security Administration (SSA) will evaluate your case based on the type, duration, frequency, and nature of the epilepsy. Since well-controlled epilepsy may not be disabling, it’s required to prove that your epilepsy has an impact on your daily life, even when you are taking proper prescription medication.
